This year, we reviewed YEL insurance policies that began before 1 January 2023 and with a YEL income of over EUR 25,000 or that had not been reviewed since 1 January 2023. There were approximately 11,500 of these entrepreneurs.
At Varma, the review process went smoothly, but we know that many entrepreneurs have been confused and frustrated when determining their YEL income and using the YEL calculator. These same issues were also mentioned in the identified themes of the Finnish government’s YEL system assessment project.
“Our customer service also received feedback on the need to simplify the YEL system. Our goal is to make the process as easy as possible for our customers and to carefully weigh all the available information for our proposal. Our development work does not end here. The process can be made smoother and our messages clearer,” says Senior Vice-President, Pension and Insurance Services Tarja Syvälä.
“This year’s reviews clearly showed the more challenging economic situation that the entrepreneurs are up against. The entrepreneurs’ net revenues had recently changed, so the information we received did not always correspond to the current situation,” Syvälä adds.
Information about YEL income reviews
41% of entrepreneurs were informed that a review was conducted and that their YEL income is in order
We informed entrepreneurs whose income was already, based on the information available to us, at the statutory level that a review had been conducted and that their YEL income had not been changed. This message was sent to 41 per cent of all the entrepreneurs reviewed by Varma.
12% of entrepreneurs did not accept the proposed YEL income and provided an account instead
If the review determined that the entrepreneur’s YEL income did not match the actual value of their work input, we sent them a proposal for a new YEL income level. 12 per cent of entrepreneurs provided an account of the factors affecting their work input, as well as their view of their income level. Based on the information we received, in more than half of these cases the YEL income was left unchanged, that is, the entrepreneur’s own view was accepted.
2% appealed against the decision
Entrepreneurs whose YEL income changed as a result of the review received an appealable decision. 2 per cent of our customers appealed their decisions.
28% of entrepreneurs replied to the messages included in the new YEL income proposals
How we will review YEL incomes in 2026 – instructions for entrepreneurs
In 2026, we will review YEL insurance policies whose YEL income was last reviewed in 2023 and all YEL insurance policies that began in 2023 and whose YEL income has not been changed since 2023. You will be able to see the information on the potential review at the end of April in the Varma Online Service, under the tab Decisions and documents.
We will begin sending out review letters in May and June. You will receive documents related to the income review electronically if you have opted for the paperless service (Varma Online Service - Personal details). Otherwise, we will get in touch by post.
We therefore recommend that you review and, if necessary, update your address and any other contact details in the Varma Online Service to ensure you receive important information.
“Around the end of the year, the media was full of proposals on how to improve the YEL system. However, because any changes that may occur will require a legal amendment process, next year’s reviews will be conducted in the same way as in previous years. We will closely monitor the progress made to develop the YEL system and will always inform our customers of potential changes well in advance,” Insurance Services Director Riikka Nivus points out.
More on the topic
The YEL assessment is ready – now we need the will to make the changes – Varma (in Finnish)
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health publishes rapporteur Jukka Rantala’s proposal for developing the YEL system - Varma
The report on the development needs of the YEL system published – The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (in Finnish)
Rapporteur Jukka Rantala’s report Self-employed persons also deserve decent pension security (in Finnish)